The Linguistics of British Sign Language
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 An Introduction
                                                                                                                                        This is the first detailed explanation of the way British Sign Language works
                                                                                                                                        and is the product of many years’experience of research and teaching of sign
                                                                                                                                        linguistics. It assumes no previous knowledge of linguistics or sign language,
                                                                                                                                        and it is not structured around traditional headings such as phonology, mor-
                                                                                                                                        phology,and syntax.Instead it is set out in such a way as to help learners and
                                                                                                                                        their teachers understand the linguistic principles behind the language.
                                                                                                                                                  There are sections on BSL and also on the use of BSL,including variation,
                                                                                                                                        social acceptability in signing, and poetry and humour in BSL. Technical
                                                                                                                                        terms and linguistic jargon are kept to a minimum,and the text contains many
                                                                                                                                        examples from English,BSL,and other spoken and sign languages.The book
                                                                                                                                        is amply illustrated and contains exercises to encourage further thought on
                                                                                                                                        many of the topics covered, as well as a reading list for further study.
                                                                                                                                         -is Lecturer in Deaf Studies at the University of
                                                                                                                                        Bristol.   is Professor and Chair of Sign Language and Deaf
                                                                                                                                        Studies at City University, London.
                                                                                                                                        A 90-minute video has been produced containing specially designed exercise
                                                                                                                                        material to accompany the book. The video is available from CACDP,
                                                                                                                                        Durham University Science Park, Block 4, Mountjoy Research Centre,
                                                                                                                                        Stockton Road,Durham DH1 3UZ.
             The Linguistics of
           British Sign Language
                  An Introduction
             -   
                                                     
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                                                              © Rachel Sutton-Spence and Bencie Woll 1998
                                               This book is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provisions
                                              of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take
                                                   place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press.
                                                                          First published 1999
                                                    Printed in the United Kingdom at the University Press, Cambridge
                                                        Typeset in Plantin Light 10/12 pt using QuarkXPress []
                                                      A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
                                                             Library of Congress cataloguing in publication data
                                                                         Sutton-Spence,Rachel.
                                                        The linguistics of British Sign Language: an introduction /
                                                                 Rachel Sutton-Spence and Bencie Woll.
                                                                                p.   cm.
                                                              Includes bibliographical references and index.
                                                  ISBN 0 521 63142 4 (hardback).– ISBN 0 521 63718 X (paperback)
                                                      1. British Sign Language – Handbooks, manuals, etc.   2. Sign
                                                  language – Study and teaching.   3. Deaf – Means of communication –
                                                              Great Britain.  I.Woll, B. (Bencie)  II.Title.
                                                                          HV2474.S97 1998
                                                                      419–dc21    98–20588    CIP
                                                                     ISBN 0 521 63142 4 hardback
                                                                     ISBN 0 521 63718 X paperback